Tirzepatide Dosage Chart
Table of Contents
What is Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, approved as Mounjaro® for type 2 diabetes and Zepbound® for chronic weight management. It achieved unprecedented weight loss results in the SURMOUNT trial program — up to 22.5% at the 15 mg dose.
Proper titration is critical for tolerability. The step-wise dose escalation over 20+ weeks allows the body to adapt to the dual-receptor activation and minimizes gastrointestinal side effects that commonly lead to discontinuation.
Tirzepatide Titration Schedule (Standard Protocol)
The FDA-approved titration schedule for Zepbound® and Mounjaro®:
| Week | Weekly Dose | Phase | Pen Color (Mounjaro) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1–4 | 2.5 mg | Titration Start | Purple |
| Week 5–8 | 5.0 mg | First Therapeutic Dose | Brown |
| Week 9–12 | 7.5 mg | Escalation | Green |
| Week 13–16 | 10.0 mg | Escalation | Teal |
| Week 17–20 | 12.5 mg | Escalation | Blue |
| Week 21+ | 15.0 mg | Maximum Maintenance | Gray |
Key point: The 2.5 mg dose is for titration only and is not a therapeutic dose. The minimum effective dose is 5.0 mg. Not all patients need to escalate to 15 mg — 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg are all approved maintenance doses.
Compounded Tirzepatide Volume Chart
For compounded tirzepatide vials, use the following injection volume reference:
| Target Dose | 5 mg/mL Vial | 10 mg/mL Vial | 20 mg/mL Vial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 mg | 0.50 mL (50 units) | 0.25 mL (25 units) | 0.125 mL (12.5 units) |
| 5.0 mg | 1.00 mL (100 units) | 0.50 mL (50 units) | 0.25 mL (25 units) |
| 7.5 mg | 1.50 mL (150 units) | 0.75 mL (75 units) | 0.375 mL (37.5 units) |
| 10.0 mg | N/A (too large) | 1.00 mL (100 units) | 0.50 mL (50 units) |
| 12.5 mg | N/A | 1.25 mL (125 units) | 0.625 mL (62.5 units) |
| 15.0 mg | N/A | 1.50 mL (150 units) | 0.75 mL (75 units) |
Note: For higher doses, use 10 mg/mL or 20 mg/mL concentrations to keep injection volumes manageable. Volumes above 1 mL may cause increased injection site discomfort.
Flexible Maintenance Dose Options
Not every subject requires the maximum 15 mg dose. The following table shows weight loss data by dose from SURMOUNT-1 to help guide maintenance dose selection:
| Maintenance Dose | Mean Weight Loss (72 weeks) | ≥5% Weight Loss | ≥20% Weight Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 mg | 15.0% | 85% | 27% |
| 10.0 mg | 19.5% | 89% | 40% |
| 15.0 mg | 22.5% | 91% | 57% |
A subject who is tolerating 10 mg well and achieving satisfactory weight loss may choose to remain at 10 mg rather than escalating to 15 mg. Discuss maintenance dose selection with a healthcare provider.
Mounjaro® vs Zepbound® Comparison
| Parameter | Mounjaro® (Diabetes) | Zepbound® (Weight Loss) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Dose | 2.5 mg weekly | 2.5 mg weekly |
| Maintenance Doses | 5, 10, or 15 mg | 5, 10, or 15 mg |
| Titration Schedule | Same 4-week steps | Same 4-week steps |
| Indication | Type 2 Diabetes | Chronic Weight Management |
| Available Doses | 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg | 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mg |
Mounjaro® and Zepbound® contain the same active ingredient (tirzepatide) at the same doses. The difference is the FDA-approved indication and labeling.
Important Safety Notes
Always follow the prescribed titration schedule. Never skip dose levels or increase faster than every 4 weeks.
Tirzepatide carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent studies. Contraindicated with MTC or MEN 2 history. Do not use with other GLP-1 or GIP receptor agonists. Monitor for pancreatitis and gallbladder events. Use only under medical supervision.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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